CEO seeks GSPCB reply on Board meet scheduling

14 Mar 201905:48am IST

14 Mar 201905:48am IST

Raponkars question meeting scheduled during code of conduct

Team Herald

PANJIM: The Chief Electoral Office (CEO) has sought explanation from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for scheduling a special board meeting on March 15, when the model code of conduct for the parliamentary election is in force.

North Collector and District Election Officer IAS R Menaka in a letter to the GSPCB Member Secretary has sought justification with reasons for scheduling the meeting during the model code of conduct period.

The notice has been issued following a complaint from Senior Supreme Court lawyer Sunaina Chari, representing Raponkarancho Ekvott, to the CEO, which referred to the scheduled Board meeting. He has alleged that the meeting has been scheduled to grant permission to Jindal and Adani operated coal handling units at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).

The complainant has demanded that a criminal investigation against GSPCB chairman Ganesh Shetgaonkar be ordered and also directions be issued not to go ahead with the meeting.

Following the complaint, Deputy Chief Electoral officer Sangeeta Naik has asked the district election officer to submit an action taken report on the matter, within 25 hours.

Speaking to Herald, Menaka said that there are no statutory guidelines as such on holding of special meetings. “But since we have got a complaint, we have sought clarification,” she said.

Herald had on March 13 reported about the special meeting of the Board, scheduled on March 15, which will decide upon granting fresh consent to Operate to JSW owned M/s South West Port Limited (SWPL); take a decision on MPTs request for a Common Consent for its entire cargo handling facilities; and also decide upon MPTs application for coal handling at mooring dolphin 1,2 and 3 for the month of April and May with total quantity of 3,15,000 metric tons.